Medical Partnerships

We're proud to be able to grow and maintain our relationship and trust with RMHC, Courtesy Corporation McDonald's, and medical leadership. Below are some ways grants have been put to use with hospital partners of ours.

Hearts at Home - Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI

Hearts at Home is the first room of its kind for families in the Eau Claire area. More than just a waiting room, Hearts at Home meets the many needs of families going through a medical crisis. RMHC worked with the local hospital to create a quiet space for families to relax and escape from the hospital environment. The 1,200 square foot space for families and children opened in January 2008, newly remodeled in 2016, and it features:

In 2010, RMHC of Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota worked to develop additional family-friendly areas within the Women and Children's Hospital expansion and the Pediatrics Department. The 300 bed facility offers two new interactive family areas with nature-themed eye spy tables and a beautiful space offering a unique and relaxing area for families and children while their loved ones are being taken care of.

Created through a partnership with Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, Iowa, RMHC opened Camp Kid in 2007 within the Emergency Room Facility. It offers a safe and inviting environment for pediatric patients and/or children who may accompany other family members. Camp Kid contains interactive toys, books, and games and it provides a special space within the Winneshiek Medical Center for children to explore and occupy their time during visits. The goal is to decrease the child's anxiety by increasing their interest in all Camp Kid has to offer.

Camp Kid also offers a dedicated special exam room designed just for youth and families. Unique murals, created by a local artist, James Fullmer, depict the natural beauty of Northeast Iowa in which patients will discover curious raccoons, placid deer, and swift moving water creatures, all painted to be friendly and welcoming.

The area, as well as outpatient facility, is also serviced by a special children's activity cart provided and stocked by RMHC with entertaining games, educational toys, and motivational diversions for children during their stay.

The majority of the children and families serviced by this ER facility are transferred within 24 hours for further care at the Mayo Health Facility in Rochester, MN.

RMHC had the opportunity to create a signature space welcoming families to the Emergency and Urgent Care Center at the Mayo Facility in La Crosse, WI, which opened in 2009.

The waiting area is nature-themed and decorated in soft, muted colors and interesting textures. RMHC developed the design concepts for the area and commissioned four pieces of original art and supplied books and activities for younger visitors that provide much needed distractions.

ER Project - Mayo Clinic Health System, Sparta, WI

The Sparta Emergency Department now has a space for children to break away from the struggles they might be facing during their visit. With the support of RMHC, they now offer creative art, eye spy table, portable DVD player, DVDs, books and a blanket for every child and teen to comfort them on their arrival. Courtesy Corporation - McDonald's employees and the community rally together to make the blanket program possible.

Pediatric Clinic Facility - Mayo Clinic Health System, Rice Lake, WI

RMHC was honored to support the Northland campaign to benefit both Rice Lake and Barron, WI. The grant from RMHC supported the renovation of the Rice Lake Clinic to accommodate a new Pediatric Services Unit which includes the areas first on-staff Pediatrician. The new space features children-sized furniture, decor, and interactive computers. Children can enjoy the work of local artists featuring animals found in Wisconsin.

In addition to the grant, Courtesy Corporation - McDonald's encourages their employees to play a role in the community and impact the lives of their customers by supporting programming in this space. Below is a picture of managers and employees from the McDonald's in Rice Lake, WI, presenting blankets for the children to the staff at the clinic.

Family Area - Mayo Clinic Health System, Barron, WI

The Emergency Department in Barron, WI was built as a respite space for children and families at the local ER and hospital. The welcoming space is inviting to children and comforting for families during their waiting time, which can be a stressful situation. Both areas provide a unique opportunity for area restaurants to connect with the community and help support RMHC and area families. Employees at the Barron McDonald's facilitate fundraisers and creative projects, like the "busy bags" featured below, which are given to children when they arrive.

Red Cedar Clinic - Mayo Clinic Health System, Menomonie, MN

Ronald McDonald House Charities supported the Mayo Clinic Health Systemâ“‡ Red Cedar emergency department and urgent care remodel and expansion in 2013. The Lucy Love Bus pediatric room was made possible through this generous support. This bright, welcoming room helps pediatric patients feel more comfortable during their time of care.

Oakridge Clinic - Mayo Clinic Health System, Osseo, WI

In 2013 RMHC supported the Mayo Clinic Health System - Oakridge Clinic expansion project in Osseo, Wisconsin. A new clinic area designed specifically for children was made possible through support from RMHC. This location provides a comforting and interactive environment for children as they wait for an appointment for themselves or a loved one.

Gundersen Health System Kid Town, La Crosse, WI

Ronald McDonald Kid Town is a place where kids with cancer can still be kids. Ronald McDonald Kid Town is a welcome addition to Gundersen Cancer Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Ronald McDonald Kid Town is a play place specially designed for pediatric cancer patients and their families. A joint effort between RMHC of Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota and Gundersen Lutheran Cancer Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Ronald McDonald Kid Town opened in June 2003.

Young patients are surprised to find an exciting and colorful place to spend time before, during, and after treatment. What will families find at Ronald McDonald Kid Town?

Comfortable areas for reading, watching movies, and listening to music

An arcade with video games and even virtual reality games

An area for working on craft projects

A place to shoot hoops

A cyber cafe to help patients and their families stay in touch with friends and relatives

A kitchen area to help everyone feel at home and allow families to make meals or snacks, so they won't have to leave during their child's treatment

Quiet areas to get away from it all

A resource library

Diane's Toy Box (in memory of Diane Kreul, a long-time Courtesy Corporation employee), where kids can choose a gift to celebrate getting through various stages of treatment

Gundersen Health System Sparta Clinic - Sparta, WI

A grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities provide funding for a beautiful and functional Children's play/waiting area in the new Gundersen Clinic in Sparta, WI.

The play area is a magical little forest the provides interactive creative play for little ones complete with tree stump seating and forest mural with magnetic animals, trees and accessories. Both children and adults love it.

Gundersen Health System Legacy Expansion - La Crosse, WI

A grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities provided funding support for Gundersen Health Systems new 500,000 square foot hospital that opened in 2014. The gift was specifically designated to support the new Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the new hospital. The 28 bed, state-of-art unit provides care and comfort to thousands of pediatric patients.

How You Can Help

What we do would never be possible without the support of our generous community and friends. We offer a variety of service projects for groups or individuals to get involved in RMHC.

Meet Our Families

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates; McDonald's, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities Logo, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

RMHC is recognized as a public charity under Internal Revenue Code section 509(a) and has 501(c)(3) status. Donations to RMHC are deductible. Donors should consult their tax advisor for questions regarding deductibility. The RMHC EIN is 39-1794402. A copy of the RMHC determination letter is available upon request.